Elvis Presley Vinyl LP Records

Elvis Presley's career lasted from 1954 to 1977, and his vinyl LP records here cover every period. You'll find the first recordings from the Sun studio in Memphis, rock and roll albums from the fifties, music from his films, gospel, Christmas records and concerts from the seventies. If you're just discovering Elvis, try a hits compilation such as Elvis 30 #1 Hits on two LPs. Collectors can choose between reissues on coloured vinyl, albums spread across several records and small 7-inch records.

How do Elvis' records from the fifties, sixties and seventies differ?

• The early years and rock and roll (1954–1958): A Boy From Tupelo: The Sun Masters captures the first recordings for the Sun label, the 1956 debut album Elvis Presley opens with Blue Suede Shoes, and Loving You and King Creole were made for his films.
• After the army and in films (1960–1968): Elvis Is Back! was the first album after his return from military service in Germany, followed by the soundtracks G.I. Blues, Blue Hawaii and Girls! Girls! Girls!
• Memphis and concerts (1969–1977): From Elvis In Memphis from 1969 combines rock with soul and country influences, On Stage captures concerts in Las Vegas, and Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite documents the Honolulu concert broadcast by satellite in 1973. Moody Blue from 1977 is the last album released during Elvis' lifetime.

One unusual recording is Million Dollar Quartet, from a spontaneous meeting of Elvis, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash at the Sun studio in December 1956.

Gospel, Christmas or Elvis with an orchestra?

Gospel stayed with Elvis throughout his career. His Hand In Mine was released in 1960, the Peace In The Valley EP is here in several vinyl colours, and Where No One Stands Alone presents his gospel recordings with new musical accompaniment. Elvis' Christmas Album from 1957, Merry Christmas Baby or Christmas Peace will bring a Christmas atmosphere.

The albums If I Can Dream, The Wonder Of You and Christmas With Elvis and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra combine Elvis' original vocals with new arrangements recorded by London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The voice comes from the original recordings; the orchestra is newly recorded.

Why does one album have so many editions?

New editions of Elvis' albums are still released today, differing in colour, record weight and extras. Blue Hawaii is here, for example, on electric blue and transparent blue vinyl, as a printed picture disc, in a yellow edition with a 7-inch EP included, and as a numbered edition on two records for 45 rpm. At 45 rpm, the groove moves faster under the stylus and less music fits on each side, so this kind of album edition uses two records.

Small records have their own conventions. An SP is a single with one track on each side; an EP usually had four tracks. The EP Étranger series brings back on vinyl EPs originally released in Spain, Italy or Denmark. For Elvis on compact disc, visit the Elvis Presley Music CDs page; for a combined overview of LPs and CDs, visit Elvis Presley LP Records and CDs.